Top feed or ruffling mechanism for sewing-machines.



J. P. WEIS. TOP FEED 0R RUFFLING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

2 SHEETSSHBET 1.

ATTORNEY Patenbed Jan. 19, 1915.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 26, 1912.

W ITNESSES J. P. WBIS.

TOP FEED 0R RUFFLING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 26,1912. 1,125,230, Patented Jan.19, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Specification of Letters Istent.

Patented J an. 19, 1915.

To all. whom it may concern:

Be' a known that I, 'JOHN P. wins, a taizen of the United'States, residing at Nyack, in the county of tRockland and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Top Feed or Rufli ng Mechanism for Sewing-Machines, of, WhlCh the following is aspecification. Y

This invention relates to sewing machines, and more particularly to an improved top-feed orrufiiing mechanism therefor, the object of the invention being to provide an improved top-feed or rufliing device for a long-arm top-shaft machine that will have all of the movements of the ordinary four-motion feed heretofore used underneath the work.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved top rufiier or feeding mechanism which will be simple in its construction, positive in all its movements and so organized as to be entirely. out of the way of the operator, while at the same time means is provided whereby the throw of the feed dog or rufiiing blade may be instantly changed from one movement or throw to' another while leaving the hands of the operator free.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a top-feed or. rufiling device for a top-shaft lon -arm machine which will be operated entirely by and derive all its movements from said to shaft, so thatthe fed or ruffiing blade Wlll be actuated in a four-motion path opposite to that'of the;

main or bottom-feed, and in which improvement yielding means is provided for regulating the pressure of the top-feed on the work.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side view illustrating the ruflling device attached to a long-arm top-shaft machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of Fig. 1; Fig. 3

is an end view of'Figs. 1 and 2 looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2; Fig. '4 is a detail end view of the connecting means between the main driving shaft and the rock shaft; Figs. 5, 6 and 7, are detail views of the crank end of the main driving shaft;

Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views of the feed bar with a feed dog attached thereto in different. positions" relatively to the footfim'd Figs: loandll are dem- "views resserof the same feed bar with a ruflling blade attached thereto indifferent posit1ons'relatively to the resser-foot.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

The arm of the machine is represented by dotted lines 1, and through this arm the top shaft 2 extends. This shaft-has means, such as the cranks 3, for rotating the same. Se,- cured to one end of the shaft 2 is a slotted disk '4, which carries an adjustable stud-5 on which isa sleeve or bushing"6 secured thereto by a nut 7, thus forming an adjustable crank. This disk 4 is detachably secured to the shaft 2 by a screw 51 tapped into the shank 52 of the disk 4.

7 Connected with the bushing 6 is an arm 9, the end 10 of which is, by a screw 11, pivotally connected to a block 12 mounted for slidlng movement on a curved arm 13.

A suitable spring 12' is provided to maintain this block in one position. Tapped in the screw 11 is a smaller screw 14 for the connection of a rod 15 leading to a floor treadle or knee shift to be operated from underneath the table. Carried by a fixed bracket 20 is a post 18 on which is mounted a pair of adjustable stops 16 and- 1'7, each having a projection 19 to cooperate with the end of hub 10 and so limit the up-anddown movement of the arm 9 and therefore the throw of the rock shaft 22. Carried by the bracket 20 is one end ofa shaft 22, the opposite end of which is supported adjacent to the head of the machine by a bracket 24. The curved arm 13 is secured to the end of this shaft 22 in anv suitable manner so that the shaft is rocked in its bracket bearings 20and '24. Loosely mounted on this shaft 22', at its forward end adjacent to the bracket 24, is a two-arm lever 30, one

' arm 27 of which terminates in a hook 28 while'the' other arm 26qhas an opening to mechanism just described through the arms 26 and 27 of the lever 30 to thefeed bardO as the hook 28 of the arm 27 receives the circular end 39 of this feed bar 40 which extends downward and is connected by a link 42 with the end of a connection 46 which is rigidly secured, as at 4:7, to the rock shaft 22, and this means causes the feed bar40 to swing back and forth by reason of the rock shaft 22, the curved arm 13, the block 12 and the arm 9. The end of the feed bar 40 is shaped to receive a feed dog 48 or a rufiing blade 49. The curved arm 13 gives the fee stroke to the feed do 48 or the ruffiing blade 49, either of which may be adjusted vertically in the feed bar by means of the slot 50 and screw 44. Thus it will be seen that the forward and backward swinging movement of the feed bar 40 is obtained through the rock shaft 22 and the linkage connection 46 and 42 from the maindriving shaft by means of the curved arm slide block 12 and connecting arm 9 hereinbefore described, while the rising and falling movement of this feed bar is obtained from the main driving shaft through the medium of the eccentric, the cushion spring 33 and the two arms 26 and 27 of the lever 30 in a manner which will be readily understood. The hook 28 and end 39 thus form what may be considered a ball and socket joint.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the rock shaft 22 being carried by fixed brackets therefor. has a fixed axis and that the arm 27 of the two-armed lever 30 is mounted at one endon this fixed axis while its opposite end suspends the feed bar so that it directly carries such feed bar.

From the foregoing it will be observed that a very simple, durable and effective topfeed or rufiiing device having the same movements as the lower feeds heretofore used is obtained, and that various shapes or combination of feeds may be used in the present improvement, at the back of the needle, in front thereof or on either side.

It is very essential to provide means whereby the rising and falling motion of the feed may be lifted out of effective position by some means connected with the presserfoot mechanism, so that when the 'presserfoot is raised from the work to remove or replace it the feed will also be lifted to permit this end 62 contacts with and lifts the lever arm 27 and thereby the feed bar 40 sufficient to clear the work. Should the machine be amaaeo of this invention, and that the term feed bar as used in the claims is not necessarily limited to a bar carrying a feed dog, but is intended to include within its scope a bar which may also support a ruffling blade.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a sewing machine, the combination of a top driving shaft, a rock shaft adjacent thereto, connecting means between said shafts for actuating the rock shaft, a hang,

ing feed bar suspended above the work, and a lever system including a movable arm mounted on a fixed axis and operated by and deriving all of its movements from said top driving shaft, said arm having connection with the upper terminus of and suspending said hanging feed bar and whereby rising and falling and swinging movements are imparted to said hanging feed bar.

2. In a sewing machine, having an overhanging arm, the combination of a top driving shaft located therein and a rock shaft adjacent thereto, connecting means between said shafts for actuating the rock shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to receive interchangeably a feed'dog or a rg blade, means for imparting a rising and falling movement to the feed bar, and means for imparting a swinging movement to said bar, one of said means connected to the rock shaft and the other to the top driving shaft and both of said means deriving all of their movements from said top driving shaft.

3. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, a top driving shaft carried thereby and normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft,

"means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft for rocking said rock shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to receive interchangeably a feed dog or a rg blade, means connected with said rock shaft for imparting a swinging movement to said feed bar, and means connected with said driving shaft for parting a rising and falling movement to said feed bar, said feed bar deriving all of its movements from said top driving shaft.

4. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, a to driving shaft carried thereby and norma y rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a'rock shaft,

e: connecting said rock shaft with the mam a;

ing movement to said feed bar, and means connected with said driving shaft for imparting a rising and falling movement to sald feed bar and including a cushioning spring, said feed bar deriving all of its movements from said top driving shaft.

5. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, a top driving shaft carried therebyand normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft, means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft for rocking said rock shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to receive interchangeably a feed dog or a ruffling blade, means connected with said rock shaft for imparting a swinging movement to said feed bar, and means connected with said driving shaft for impartinga rising'and falling movement to said feed bar and including a coiled cushioning spring, said feed bar deriving all of its movements from said top driving shaft.

6. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, a top driving shaft carried thereby and normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of. a rock shaft,

means connecting said rock shaft'with the driving shaft for rocking said rock shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to .receive interchangeably a feed do or a rufiiing blade, means connected with said rock shaft for imparting a swinging movement to said feed bar, and meansv connected with said driving shaft for imparting a rising and falling movement to said feed bar, said means comprising a twoarm lever and a linkage connection below the'same with said feed bar, said .feed bar deriving all of its movements from said top driving Shaft.

v'2'. In a sewing machine having an over-' hanging arm, a top drivingshaft carried thereby and .normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft,

means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft for rocking said rock shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to receive interchangeably a feed dog or a rufiling blade, means connected with said rock shaft for imparting a swing ing movement to said feed bar, and means connected with said driving shaft for imparting arising and falling movement to said feed bar, said means comprising a twoarm lever and a linkage connection'below the same with said feed bar, one of said lever arms and the feed bar having a ball and socket connection. a V

, 8. In a sewing machine having an over-.

hanging arm, a top driving shaft carried feed dog or a rufiling blade, means connected with said rock shaft for imparting a swinging a rising and falling movement to said lever and a linkage connection below the same. with said feed bar, one ofsaid lever arms and thefeed bar having a ball and socket connection, and means for limiting the throw of said rock shaft. 9. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, a top driving shaft carried thereby and normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft, means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft for rocking said rock shaft, a hanging feed bar located above the work and adapted to receive interchangeably a feed do or a rufiling blade, means connected with said rock shaft for imparting a swinging moveing movement to said feed bar, means con- 'nected with said driving shaft for impart feed bar, said means comprising a two-arm ment to said feed bar, means connected with no I hanging arm, a top driving shaft carried thereby and normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft,

means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft for rocking said rock shaft, a

hanging feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to receive interchangeably a feed dog or a rufiling blade, means connected with said rock shaft for imparting a swinging movement to said feed bar, means connected with said driving shaft for imparting a rising and falling movement to said feed bar, and means for raising the feed bar, said feed bar deriving all of its movements from said top driving shaft.

11. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm, a top driving shaft carried thereby and normally rotatable in. the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft, means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft for rocking said rock shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to receive interchangeably a feed dog or a rufiling blade, means connected with said rock shaft for impartinga swinging movement to said feed bar, means connected with said driving shaft for.

imparting a rising and falling movement'tov nected therewith for raising it and also raising the vfeed bar. 12. In a sewing machine, the combin tion wi'th the driving shaft, of a rock sha t, means connecting the driving shaft with the rock shaft and comprising a curved arm connected with theroclT'shaft, a sliding block mounted thereon and an .arm connecting said block with the driving shaft, ad-

justable means for limiting the movement of said sliding block, a two-arm lever supported for swinging movement, a hanging feed bar having a" ball and socket connection with one of'the arms of said lever and suspended 'above the work, linkage connection between said feed bar and rock shaft, and a spring cushioned eccentric connection between one of said arms and the driving shaft whereby rising .and falling and swinging movements are imparted to said feed bar. 1

13. In a sewing machine, the combination with the driving shaft, of a rock shaft, means connecting the driving shaft with the rock shaft and comprising a curved arm connected with the rock shaft, a sliding block mounted thereon and an arm connecting said block with the driving shaft, ad-

.justa-ble means for limiting the movement of saidsliding block, a two-arm lever supported for swinging movement, a hanging feed bar having a ball and socket connection with one of the arms of said lever andtion between said feed bar and rock shaft,

a spring cushioned eccentric connection between one of said arms and the driving shaft whereby rising and falling and swinging movements are imparted to said feed bar, and means in position to engage one of the arms of said lever for raising and lowering said feed bar.

14. In a sewing machine, the combination with the driving shaft, of a rock shaft, means connecting the driving shaft with the rock shaft and comprising a curved arm connected with the rock shaft, a sliding block mounted thereon and an arm connecting said block with the driving shaft, adjustable means for limiting the movement of said sliding block, a two-arm lever sup-. ported for swinging movement, a hanging feed bar having a ball and socket connection with one of the arms of said lever and suspended above the work, linkage connection between said feed bar and rock shaft. a spring cushioned eccentric connection be-.

tween one of said arms and the driving shaft whereby rising and falling and swinging movements are imparted to said feed bar, and means in position to operate adjacent to the ball and socket connection of the) bar.

aaaaaao.

15. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving shaft, a rock shaft, a curved arm/carried by said rock shaft, a sliding block mounted on said arm, a connection between said block and the driving shaft, adJustable means for limiting the movement of said block, means for shifting said block on its arm, a hanging feed bar located above the work, and means connecting said rock shaft with the feed bar for imparting swinging movement thereto.

16. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving shaft-a rock shaft, a curved arm carried by-said rock shaft, a sliding block mounted on said arm, a connection between said block and the driving -shaft,

adjustable means for limiting the movement of said block, means for shiftingflsaid block on its arm, a hanging feed bar located above the work, means connecting said rock shaft with the feed bar for imparting swinging movement thereto, and means for im-.

- nection between said block and the driving shaft, adjustable means for limiting the movement of said block, means for shifting said block on its arm, a hanging feed bar located above the work, means connecting said rock shaft with the feed bar forimparting swinging movement thereto, and means for imparting to said feed bar a rising-and falling movement, said means having connection with the driving shaft.

18. In a' sewing machine, the combination of a driving shaft, a rock shaft, a curved arm carried bysaid rock shaft, a sliding block mounted on said arm, a connection between said block and the drivingthe shaft, adjustable means for limitin movement of said block,.means for shifting said block on its arm, a hangingfeed bar located above the work, means connecting said rock shaft with the feed bar for imparting swinging movement thereto, and

ing connection with the driving shaft and embodying a spring cushioned eccentric connecting means.

19. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work, means for i'mparting a swinging movement thereto, an eccentric carried by said driving shaft, meansconnected with said hangingfeed bar, and a spring connected with saideccentric and with said last means for cashioning the latter and 7 also for imparting movement thereto to raise and lower the feed ban, J

20. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving shaft, a rock shaft, a

curved arm connected to said rock shaft, a sliding block -mounted on said arm, a connection between said block and said driving shaft for oscillating said arm and thereby rocking said rock shaft, a two-arm lever supported for swinging movement, a coiled sprm connected with one of the arms of said ever and having an eccentric connection with said driving shaft, a feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to interchangeably receive a feed dog or a ruffling blade andhaving a hinge connection with the other arm of said lever, and a linkage connection between said feed bar and the rock shaft whereby a rising and falling and swinging movement is imparted to the feed bar from the drivin 21. In a sewing machine, t e combinashaft.

tion of a driving shaft, a rock shaft, a

- curved arm connected to said rock shaft, a

sliding block mounted on said arm, a connection between said block andrsaid driving shaft for oscillatin said arm and thereby rocking said rock aft, a two-arm lever supported for swinging movement, a coiled spring connected with one of the arms of said lever and having an eccentric connection with said drivingfsha'ft, a-feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to interchangeably receive a feed dog or a ruffling blade and having a hinge connection with the'other arm of said lever, a linkage connection between said feedbar and the rock shaft whereby a rising and falling and swin g movement is imparted to the feed bar 53m the driving shaft, and adjustable means for limiting-the throw of said rock shaft.

22. In a sewing machine, the combina-- tion of a driving shaft, a rock shaft, .a curved arm connected to said rock shaft,.a sliding block mounted on said arm, a connection between saidfblock and said driving shaft for oscillating said arm and thereby rocking said rock shaft, a two-arm lever supported for swinging movement, a coiled spring connected with one of the arms of said lever and having an eccentric connection with said driving shaft, a feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to interchangeably receive a feed dog or aruffling blade and having a hinge connection with the other arm of. said. lever, a linka e connection between said feed bar and t e the throw of the rock shaft andsliding block mounted on said arm, a connection between-said block andsaid driving shaft-for oscillating said arm and thereby rocking said rock shaft, a two-arm lever supported for swinging movement, a coiledspring connected with one of the arms of said lever and having an eccentric connection withsaid drivingshaft, a feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to in* terchangeably receive a feed dog or a ruffling blade and having a hinge connection with the other arm of said lever, a linkage connection between said feed bar and the rock shaftwhereby arising and falling and swinging movement is imparted to the feed' bar from the driving shaft, and adjustable means for limiting the throw of the rock shaft and thereby rendering the swinging movement of the feed bar ineffective.

24. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving shaft, a rock shaft, a curved arm connected to said rock shaft, a sliding block mounted on said arm, a connection between said block and said driving shaft for oscillating said arm and thereby rocking said rock shaft, a two-arm lever supported for swinging movement, a coiled spring connected with one of the arms of said lever and having an eccentric connection with said driving shaft, a feed bar suspended above the work and adapted to interchangeably receive a feed dog or a ruffling blade and having a hinge connection with the other arm of said lever, a linkage connection between said feed bar and the rock shaft wherebya rising and falling and swinging movement is imparted to thefeed bar from the driving shaft, adjustable means for limiting the throw of the'rock shaft'and thereby rendering the swinging movement of the feed bar ineffective, a presser-foot, and means connected therewith for raising and lowering the feed bar on the raisin and lowering of the presser-foot.

25. n a sewing machine, the combination of a top driving shaft, a rock shaft adjacent thereto, connecting means between said shafts for actuating the rock shaft, a hang-v ing feed bar suspendedabove the work, a lever system operated by and deriving all of its movements from said top driving shaft and suspending said hanging feed bar andimparting thereto rising ahd falling and swinging movements, an meeting a part of said lever system with the driving shaft thereby to actuate said part of the lever systema f a 26. In a sewin machine, the combination of a suspended eed bar located above the work, a top driving shaft, a rock shaft'loacoil-spring concated adjacent thereto, means connected 1 with the driving shaft for. operating said rock shaft, means connecting the feed bar with the rock shaft, and means connectin the feed bar with th'e'top driving shaft an comprising a two-armed lever supported by the rock shaft, an eccentric carried by the top shaft and a coil-spring connecting said eccentric with one of the arms of said lever.

'27. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm and a top driving shaft located therein and normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft supported adjacent thereto, means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work, means connecting said feed bar with the rock shaft, and means including a movable arm mounted on a fixed axis, said arm operated by and deriving all of its movements from said top driving shaft and connected to the upper terminus of said feed bar for connecting said feed bar with the driving shaft and whereby rising and falling and swinging movements are imparted to the feed bar.

28. In asewing machine having an overhanging arm and a top driving shaft located therein and normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft supported adjacent thereto, means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work, means connecting said feed bar with the rock shaft, means including a two-armed swinging lever mounted on a fixed axis, one arm' of said lever connected to the upper terminus of said feed bar, and means including an eccentric connection between the driving shaft and the other arm thereof and whereby rising and falling and swinging movements are imparted from the driving shaft to the hanging feed bar.

29. In a sewing machine having an overhanging arm and a top driving shaft located therein and normally rotatable in the same direction, the combination of a rock shaft supported adjacent thereto, means connecting said rock shaft with the driving shaft, a suspended feed bar located above the work, means connecting said feed bar with the rock shaft, and means connecting said feed bar with the driving shaft for imparting to the feed bar a rising and falling and swinging movement, said means including a two-armed swinging lever, a linkage connection and aspring cushioned eccentric connection with the driving shaft.

30. The combination with the overhanging arm of a sewing machine and a top driving shaft located therein. and normally rotatable in the same direction, of a rock'shaft supported adjacent thereto, a hanging feed bar located above the work, means connecting said feed bar with the rock shaft, swinging means connected with said feed bar, and a coiled spring connected with said swinging connecting means and having one end connected to the driving shaft whereby rising and falling and swinging movements will be imparted to the feed bar.

31. In a sewing machine,-the combination of a top driving shaft, a rock shaft located adjacent thereto and connected therewith for actuation thereby, a hanging feed bar sus pended above the work, means connected with the rock shaft for imparting a swinging movement to said feed bar, an eccentric carried by the top driving shaft, means supported by the rock shaft and connected with the feed bar, and a spring connecting said eccentric and said last means for operating the latter thereby to impart a .rismg and falling movement to said feed bar.

32. In a sewing machine, the combination of a driving shaft, a hanging feed bar suspended above the work, means for imparting a swinging movement thereto, means for imparting a rising and falling movement thereto, and a coil-spring connected with the driving shaft and with one of said means and constituting the means for imparting to one of said means all of its movements from the driving-shaft.

33. In a sewin machine, the combination of a'driving sha a hanging feed bar suspended above the work, means for actuating the same from the driving shaft, and a coilspring connected with said driving shaft and with the feed bar actuating means for imparting movement to the latter.

Signed at Utica,'New York, this 14th day of December, 1912.

J OIIN P. WEIS. Witnesses:

Gnmnrns it.v 'Innnnn,

ARTHUR E. 'Inomson 

